Serie A Preview: Reggina-Juventus
11/5/2004 6:01:00 PM
As the Juventus steamroller continues to brush aside all opposition that lies before it, plucky Reggina face the daunting task of inflicting a first defeat of the season on the Bianconeri.
BACKGROUND
With only seven points to show for their campaign so far, Reggina have started this season slowly. Currently lying in the bottom three teams in Serie A, only Atalanta have fewer points, with Parma below the Calabrians on goal difference. At this stage of the season it is clear that Reggina will struggle to remain in top-flight football for another year. Successive defeats to Fiorentina and Messina have left Reggina some catching up to do if they are to stand a realistic chance of surviving in Serie A this season. The last positive result Reggina achieved was an away draw with Chievo, the match finishing 0-0. The result highlights what has been the little club’s major problem this term, as they have failed to score goals on a consistent basis.
On Wednesday Juventus continued their amazing sequence of results with an away win against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. In recent years, Juventus have been notoriously bad travellers in Europe, with defeats to smaller clubs such as Celtic hampering their progress. This season Juventus look transformed under Fabio Capello, playing solid and purposeful football both domestically and in Europe. The new manager’s brand of football has made the Bianconeri miserly in defence, rock solid in midfield and lethally efficient in attack. Juve’s efficiency is demonstrated by the strikers’ shared goals, with each player selected scoring when called upon. Whilst Juventus do not look as spectacular as teams like Milan, thy have learned how to win again, doing whatever has been necessary to achieve maximum points this season. With Juve the proof is surely in the pudding, having now won all of their Champions League games 1-0 they conceded just two goals in Serie A. Juventus’ only slip came against Palermo in the league, where both teams shared points after a 1-1 draw.
Reggina manager Mazzarri will take some comfort in the fact that his team has shown the character in the past to trouble some of Serie A’s biggest teams. Palermo have demonstrated that taking points from Juventus is possible, although extremely difficult. Reggina will need players such as Bonazzoli (himself a former Juve target) to find their shooting touch, and a goal against “The Old Lady” would be the perfect start.
FORM GUIDE
Reggina: LDLL
The team has had a bad run of results of late and will need to pick up victories soon. Reggina began the season well; picking up vital points in their first few games, but have failed to add to their tally since.
Juventus: WWWW
At this moment in time Juventus look unstoppable. The Turin side are surely the best team in Europe right now, playing great football and achieving important results in the process.
TEAM NEWS
Reggina
Nakamura and former Italy under 21 star Bonazzoli continue in what is a potentially explosive partnership. Both players have shown their qualities often in Serie A and will need to be at their best if they are to penetrate the Bianconeri defence. Mesto is missing through suspension, with Esteves missing out through injury.
Juventus
Birindelli will once again deputise for the injured Zebina. This change apart, Juventus are at full strength. With Trezeguet is out till January Capello will choose between Del Piero and Zalayeta to partner Ibrahimovic.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Reggina
Bonazzoli will look to impress the club that has show interest in his services in the past. The young striker has the ability to trouble any defence when he is on form. Bonazzoli’s goal return has been poor in recent seasons, if the striker is to move to a more important club he will need to start fulfilling his undoubted potential.
Juventus
After creating the winning goal in Munich, Ibrahimovic will look to continue his improvement. The young Swede is looking extremely affective at this moment in time, impressing domestically and abroad. His size and strength are often decisive, but it is technical ability that is his greatest asset. Zlatan looks set to become one of the best strikers in the game.
PROBABLE STARTING XIs
Reggina (3-5-2):
Soviero; Franceschini, De Rosa, Cannarsa; Paredes, Tedesco, Mozart, Colucci, Balestri; Nakamura, Bonazzoli .
Juventus (4-4-2):
Buffon - Zambo, Thuram, F.Cannavaro, Birindelli - Camoranesi, Blasi, Emerson, Nedved - Zalayeta (Del Piero), Ibrahimovic.
PREDICTION
Juventus should easily cope with Siena at the Reggina on Saturday.
Reggina 0-2 Juventus
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